Greenscapes: Of/In/From the Garden at Clay Art Center

Description

Greenscapes: Of/In/From the GardenAn exhibition of work inspired by the garden

January 31- March 21, 2015

Opening Reception: Saturday: January 31, 6-8pm

Clay Art Center is pleased to present Greenscapes: Of/In/From the Garden, a national invitational exhibition of functional and sculptural objects of and for the garden by over 60 artists. Greenscapes will be exhibited from Saturday, January 31- March 21, 2015, with an opening reception on Saturday, January 31, from 6-8pm. This exhibition will highlight the relationship between ceramics and the garden and will keep the memory of spring alive in the gallery though temperatures might drop in the snowy northeast.

The garden draws nature into relationship with people. It is no longer a wild thing but tamed, nurtured and cultivated for harvest. Just as ceramics are global, so is agriculture. Agrarian societies and ceramics share technology, materials and objects, their histories are intertwined. From agriculture to English gardens to houseplants, artists will explore nature and its taming. Artists will describe the tenacious nature of weeds, the implements of urban gardening, food that grows in gardens and its presentation once harvested, composting, and cut flowers. This exhibition will feature functional objects by over 60 contemporary ceramic artists with which to display the harvest of flowers, ceramic garden furniture, fountains, rain barrels, water filters, bird baths, bird houses, watering cans, buckets, baskets and things with which to collect the harvest as well as garden sculptures.

In conjunction with Greenscapes, Clay Art Center will explore clay and its relationship to the garden in a series of educational programs. Maryland Artist Deborah Bedwell will present a two-day workshop entitled Container Gardens: Planters for Succulents, Bonsai & More on Saturday and Sunday, January 31 – February 1 Fee: $200 members. Ron Geibel will teach a six week class in making terra cotta planters called Home Grown on Friday mornings. Our Saturday Drop-in classes will feature garden themed projects for the duration of the exhibition.

Each year, CAC hosts a themed national invitational that showcases the breadth and depth of what is happening in the realm of functional and decorative ceramics. This year the theme allows for the idea that sculpture is in and of itself functional in a garden setting. This year the garden theme expands to include sculptural objects as well, for what is a garden without the fantasy, whim or the narrative aspects that representational work can convey? Greenscapes and its concurrent events combines familiar forms and artistic voices with the results of those who branched out. Simultaneous events will allow participants and community members to become immersed in the narrative of the garden.